Xeon D-1520 vs Xeon E3-1235L v5

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Xeon D-1520 vs Xeon E3-1235L v5 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Xeon D-1520 vs Xeon E3-1235L v5: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Xeon D-1520

2015

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +18.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (4,917 vs 5,013).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (1.5 MB vs 8 MB).
❌80% higher power demand at 45W vs 25W.

Xeon E3-1235L v5

2015

Why buy it

✅+2% higher PassMark.
✅+433.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 1.5 MB).
✅Draws 25W instead of 45W, a 20W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon D-1520 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E3-1235L v5 better than Xeon D-1520?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon D-1520 is ahead with a 18.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E3-1235L v5 pulls ahead with 2% better PassMark. Xeon E3-1235L v5 also has the bigger cache pool with 433.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 1.5 MB).

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E3-1235L v5 is the stronger fit. You are getting 2% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 433.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 1.5 MB).

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Xeon E3-1235L v5 still makes the most sense overall. Xeon E3-1235L v5 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 2% better PassMark.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Xeon E3-1235L v5 is the safer long-term CPU choice because it gives you more room to grow and a better platform outlook.

Xeon D-1520 vs Xeon E3-1235L v5 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Xeon D-1520

The Xeon D-1520 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 9 March 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 1.5 MB (per core). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1667. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 4,917 points. Launch price was $199.

Xeon E3-1235L v5

The Xeon E3-1235L v5 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 October 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake-DT (2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 25 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1866/2133, DDR3L-1333/1600. Passmark benchmark score: 5,013 points. Launch price was $250.

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Processing Power

The Xeon D-1520 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, matching the Xeon E3-1235L v5's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.6 GHz on the Xeon D-1520 versus 3 GHz on the Xeon E3-1235L v5 — a 14.3% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1235L v5 (base: 2.2 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Xeon D-1520 uses the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E3-1235L v5 uses Skylake-DT (2015) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon D-1520 scores 4,917 against the Xeon E3-1235L v5's 5,013 — a 1.9% lead for the Xeon E3-1235L v5. L3 cache: 1.5 MB (per core) on the Xeon D-1520 vs 8 MB (total) on the Xeon E3-1235L v5.

Feature	Xeon D-1520	Xeon E3-1235L v5
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 4
Boost Clock	2.6 GHz	3 GHz+15%
Base Clock	2.2 GHz+10%	2 GHz
L3 Cache	1.5 MB (per core)	8 MB (total)+433%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Broadwell (2015−2019)	Skylake-DT (2015)
PassMark	4,917	5,013+2%

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon D-1520 uses the FCBGA1667 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E3-1235L v5 uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.